Flush-valve-operating means



Aug. 9 1927.

A c. J. KIRK FLUSH VALVE CPERATING MEANS I I gwuvlfo';

Charles :11 K'rh Filed June 12. 1926 aktozmg Patented Aug. 9, 1927. I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES J'. OF NEW CASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

I'LUSH-VALVE-OPERATING MEANS.

Application fled June 12. 1928. Serial No. 115,458.

means which may be operated either by depression of the same or by angular or turning movement either to the right or left; to provide a construction in which valve opening movement may be effected by the same pressure, irrespective of the direction in which the "actuating means be turned or whether it be depressed; and to provide an actuating means which may be readily detached without the necessity for the use of tools, so that it may be removed during the time of the transportation of the flush tank and readily placed in position after the tank has been set.

With this purpose .in view, the invention consists in a construction and combination of parts of which a preferred embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1" is a side elevational view indicating in dotted lines a closet flush tank,

the invention being shown applied inoperative position.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the plane indicated by the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the lever actuating means.

Figure at is a rear elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 3.

Figures 5 and 6 are detail perspective views illustrating respectively the thimble and lever bracket.

The actuating spindle 10, which is mounted for both turning and rocking movements in the'thimble- 11 extending through thewall of the tank 12, is provided interiorly of the tank with a cam 1 4 which is lockedagainst relative angular or'turning movement on the spindle in any appropriate manner and in the illustrated embodiment by means of a squared or angular extremity of the spindle entering a similarly formed eye in the cam. A cotter pin 16 is inserted through the squared or angular end of the spindle behind the cam to hold the latter on the spindle.

The cam is disposed below the valve lever 17 and the latter is pivotally mounted at 18 on a bracket 19 secured to the inner face of the tank wall by the nut 20 securing the thimble in place. The pivotal mountin 18 is at the end remote from with w iefi the flush valve 21 isconnected. The vertical plane of the actuating spindle being within the vertical planes of the extremities of the lever, a lever system of the second order is provided and, if the lever be elevated by the turning of the spindle either to the right or to the left or by the de ression of its outer end, the flush valve wi 1 be unseated.

The cam 14 is provided with a flat upper face 22 with which the lower edge of the lever is in contact and if the outer end of the spindle be depressed, the lever will slide over this flat upper face transversely of the latter. If the spindle be turned angularly on its axis, either one of the extremities of the cam will function to raise the lever and, in order that the same pressure may suflice in either of the directions in which the spindle is turned, the point of connection between the cam and-the spindle is at one side of the longitudinal center of the former,

as shown, so that, in the compound system provided by the cam and the valve lever, a short force arm may function, as in turning the spindle right handedly, or an increased force arm operate as in turning the spindle left handedly. In the depression of the outer end of the spindle, practically the same lever system is provided, but in this case the spindle from the pivot point to the cam becomes the first force arm with practically the same pressure required to unseat the valve as when the spindle is turned.

The spindle actuating means consists of an exterior crank handle 23, preferably of ceramic material, and the universal moimting consists of a pin 24 spanning the thimble and disposed horizontally but slightly below the axis of the thimble, this pin engaging in a transverse slot in the'spindle. Thus the spindle is susceptible of angular or turning movement and is also susceptible of rocking movement in a' vertical plane without disengagement from the pin.

The disposition of the pin below the thimble axis will, when the weight of the lever is removed and the cam detached after removal of the cotter pin securing it in place, permit the elevation of the spindle to disengage the slot from the pin and permit the withdrawal of the spindle, so that it and its actuating handle may be packed separately in the transportation of the tank, thus removing the possibility of damage to the them- The invention having been described, what is claimed as new and useful is:

1. Flush valve operating means comprising a pivotally mounted valve lever, and an actuating element operatively connected with the valve lever and mounted for rocking movement in the direction of its length and for turning movement on its own axis.

2. Flush valve operating means comprising a pivotally mounted flush valve lever, and an actuating element therefor mounted for longitudinal rocking movement and axial turning movement, said actuating element having an operative connection with said valve lever to provide for movement of the same by substantially the same force irrespective of the direction of movement imparted to the actuating element.

3. Flush valve operating means comprising a pivotally. mounted flush valve lever, and an actuating element mounted for .rotary and rocking movements having an operative connection with said lever.

4. Flush valve actuating means comprising a pivotall mounted valve lever, an actuating spin 1e, mounted for rotary and rocking movements and a cam carried at one extremity of the spindle and having a flat bearing face slidably engaging one edge of the lever.

5. Flush valve actuating means comprising a pivotally mounted valve lever, an actuating spindle operatively connected with the same, and a mounting for said spindle provided with a fulcrum element from which the spindle may be disengaged in one position of the latter.

6. Flush valve actuating means comprising a valve operating member, an actuating spindle operatively connected with said member, and a mounting for said spindle,

said mounting being provided with a spindle retaining element with which the spindle is detachably engaged for removal without displacement of the spindle retaining element.

7. Flush valve actuating means comprising a valve operating member, a rockingly mounted actuating spindle operatively connected with said member, and a mounting for said spindle, said mountin being provided with a spindle retaining diement operatively connected with the spindle to permit removal of the latter without displacement of said retaining element.

which said spindle may be lifted out of engagement. I

10. Flush valve actuating means comprising a pivotally mounted valve lever, an actuating spindle operatively connected with the same, and a mounting for said spindle.

provided with a fulcrum pin, the spindle aving a transverse slot in which said pin engages.

11. Flush valve actuating means comprising a pivotally mounted valve lever, an actuating spindle operatively connected with the same. and a mounting for said spindle provided with a fulcrum in, the spindle having a transverse slot in w ich said pin engages, said slot opening at one side of the spindle.

12. Flush valve actuating means comprising a pivotally mounted valve lever, an actuatlng spindle operatively connected with the same, and a mounting consisting of a thimble for securement in the wall of a flush tank and provided with a horizontal fulcrum pin disposed below the thimble axis, said spindle having a transverse slot opening at its lower side and said fulcrum pin engaging in said slot.

13. In combination with a flush valve, an actuator mounted for turning and rocking movements operatively connected with the valve for unseating the latter upon either turning or rocking movement of the actuator.

14. In' combination with a flush valve, an actuator mounted for turning and rocking movements operatively connected with the valve for imparting an upward pull to the latter upon either rocking or turning movement being imparted to the actuator.

In testimony whereof he affixes his signature.

CHARLES J. KIRK. 

